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  • 2023 Winter Speaker Information

63RD Annual AIRPORT MANAGEMENT Short course


Kurt Wedberg in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile on the famous W Trek.

Keynote Speaker
Kurt Wedberg

Founder, Sierra Mountaineering International, Inc.

Read more about Kurt Wedberg.

Kurt founded Sierra Mountaineering International, Inc. in the fall of 1995 after returning from his first of three successful expeditions to Mt. Everest. With over 40 years of mountaineering experience in the Sierra Kurt has also guided 120+ expeditions to high peaks in Africa, Alaska, the Alps, Antarctica, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Russia, Tibet, and Turkey. He completed the Seven Summits in the Summer of 2012 after summiting Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia. Kurt runs Sierra Mountaineering International, Inc. from his hometown of Bishop, CA along the slopes of the beautiful Eastern Sierra.

Kurt remains active in all aspects of guiding including rock climbing, ice climbing, backcountry skiing, Sierra peak ascents, and expeditions to high peaks worldwide. He is an instructor for SMI’s Avalanche Courses and is a lifetime professional member of the American Avalanche Association. Kurt is also a Leave No Trace Master Educator and has a BA in Political Science from California State University, Northridge.

When not guiding Kurt enjoys spending time with his wife Kelly and son Asher. Other interests include barbecuing, cooking, playing guitar, and staying active with his local church where he can occasionally be seen giving a sermon behind the pulpit.

Speaker

Erin Albright, JD

Protocol Specialist and Consultant

Airport Initiative by BAATC


Read more about Erin Albright.

Erin is an internationally recognized anti-trafficking expert with over a dozen years of experience as a subject matter expert for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime, the US Commission on Human Rights, and the California Office of Emergency Services. In the United States, Erin’s partners and clients range from Airport Initiative, Department of Justice, and the American Bar Association, to 23 state and local task forces. A graduate of Mary Washington College, and Boston College Law School, Erin is a member of the Massachusetts Bar.

Speaker

Fai Ali, PE, CM, PMP

Deputy Aviation Director, Planning and Development

Mineta San Jose International Airport

Read more about Fai Ali.

Fai is a strategic leader and program manager with over 15 years of experience and result driven success in airport planning and development. Fai leverages leadership and technical knowledge gained through hands-on experience in commercial aviation and the U.S. Air Force to deliver success. Fai has proven expertise and success in strategic planning and administration with an innate ability to translate high level vision and strategies into actionable goals and accomplishments. Fai has over 10 years’ experience in program management, administration, and the development and oversight of capital improvement and federally funded programs, including programming and execution of FAA funded projects.

Speaker

David y. Bannard

Partner

Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell LLP


Read more about David Y. Bannard.

Dave is a partner with the law firm of Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell. Dave has more than 25 years of experience in representing airports on a wide variety of matters, including regulatory compliance, airport financings, use and lease agreements and rate-setting ordinances, airline and other tenant bankruptcies, defense of Part 16 actions, and the negotiation of concessions agreements. He regularly counsels airports on compliance with federal grant assurances and development of air service incentive programs, and he is currently advising several airports on negotiation of new use and lease agreements. Dave has represented airport owners in novel public-private partnerships, including negotiating the agreements relating to a start-up of a privately developed passenger terminal, the private development of a terminal for ultra-low cost carriers, and the privatization of a small county-owned airport. He is an experienced bond attorney, having served as bond counsel to airports and other issuers, counsel to borrowers and underwriters and disclosure counsel, as well as issuer’s counsel, in many transactions. Dave is also a frequent speaker at airport and aviation conferences on a wide variety of airport-related topics.

Moderator

alice Bimrose, A.A.E., C.A.e., ACe

Executive Program Director

PSM²

Read more about Alice Bimrose.

Alice Bimrose is Executive Program Director at PSM², a woman-owned small business providing strategic communications and guest experience services during capital development. Alice leads the development of project communication plans and project start-up activities including contract requirements, project management plans, and customized processes, procedures and standards for clients experiencing disruptions due to construction and change. Prior to joining PSM², Alice spent nearly 25 years at America’s Friendliest Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Her PHX experience included capital projects and budgets, airline affairs, public relations, stakeholder outreach, employee development, process improvement, and maintenance management. She has also worked for 13 years in the private and nonprofit sectors in the Phoenix area. Alice earned a Master of Arts degree from Ottawa University, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marquette University, and completed the Certificate of Airport Management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. She is an Airport Certified Employee in Airfield Operations, an Accredited Airport Executive through the American Association of Airport Executives, and a Certified Airport Executive through the Southwest Chapter of AAAE.

Moderator

Rosalyn Bond, A.A.E., C.A.e., ACe

Deputy Director of Operations

SJC Airport


Speaker

Kevin Bumen, A.A.e., c.a.e.

Chief Financial & Commercial Officer

San Francisco International Airport

Read more about Kevin Bumen.

Kevin Bumen was appointed Chief Commercial Officer in October 2020 and Chief Financial and Commercial Officer in November 2022. In this capacity, Mr. Bumen oversees SFO’s financial and revenue generating departments, including Finance; Risk Management; Accounting; Aviation Management; Aviation Marketing and Development; Hotel and Special Projects; Parking Management; and Revenue Development and Management. Prior to joining SFO, Mr. Bumen served as the Director of Airports for San Luis Obispo County as well as Director of Aviation and Business Services for the California Special District Airport. Mr. Bumen is Past President of the California Airports Council and is currently serving on the Board of the American Association of Airport Executives and Airports Council International – North America.

Speaker

Cathryn Cason

Manager

FAA, Los Angeles Airports District Office

Read more about Cathryn Cason.

Cathryn joined the Western Pacific Region as the Manager for the Airports District Office in November 2020. In this position, she works with a well-informed technical staff overseeing the Airport Improvement Program and the Passenger Facility Program. Prior to taking this position, Cathryn worked as the Lead Compliance Specialist in the Office of Airports in Washington, DC. During that time she had temporary assignments to the San Francisco Airports District Office as the Acting Assistant Manager, Southern Region as a Special Assistant, and the Los Angeles Airports District Office as the Acting Manager. Cathryn served in the Office of the Chief Counsel in policy division in Washington DC and in enforcement in Oklahoma City.

Speaker

TJ. chen, C.M., P.E.

Airport Deputy Director of Planning

Sacramento County Airports


Read more about Tai Jye Chen.

T. J. joined Sacramento County Department of Airports in 2015 as the Department’s Chief Administrative Officer/Deputy Director for Planning and Development. T.J. embarked on his airports career more than 20 years ago as an airport engineering intern with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In the 20 plus year span, T.J. held various project engineering, program management and leadership positions in both public and private sectors and in the US and abroad and had the opportunity to establish a joint-venture company in China. T.J. received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Civil Engineering from San Jose State University and is a licensed civil engineer in the State of California. T.J. also served in the US Marine Corps Reserves and is a graduate of FAA’s Program for Emerging Leaders.

Moderator

Jinelle Crosser, ENv sp, leed ap

Sustainability & Resiliency Project Manager

Gresham Smith

Read more about Jinelle Crosser.

Jinelle Crosser is a Sustainability and Resiliency Project Manager with Gresham Smith - a team of diligent designers, creative problem-solvers and insightful planners who work closely with clients to improve the places we call home. Jinelle is experienced in collaborating with cross-functional teams within airports, municipalities and other sectors to identify and advance goals related to sustainability and resiliency. She has a particular focus on climate mitigation, including helping airports navigate the Airport Carbon Accreditation program and preparing industry guidance through the Airport Cooperative Research Program. She is also experienced in natural resource management, pollution prevention and environmental program development as well.

Speaker
Angi Daus

Marketing Coordinator
Santa Barbara Airport


Read more about Angi Daus.

Angi Daus has served as the Marketing Coordinator for the Santa Barbara Airport for the past 2 years. Although this is her first “airport gig,” is very familiar with the on-goings and management of government organizations. Angi has her MPA from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, Minnesota and her BA from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. Prior to joining SBA, Angi founded LL Bird Consulting, an organizational development consulting practice. She also services on the Board of Directors for A Different Point of View, The Arts Fund of Santa Barbara and Channel Islands Restoration, all nonprofit o